For All We Know

by Esther Phillips

Overview

This 1976 Kudu date under Esther Phillips' name is notable for two major reasons, and both of them are Joe Beck. While Creed Taylor produced the date, all of the sets arrangements were done by Beck, who wove an entire band's sound around the smoking, soulful grooves of his guitar. His playing is the other reason this set is so memorable: Beck is at his most inspired and fluidly funky; he is present everywhere in the mix but nonetheless crafts the strengths of the ensemble around Phillips' unusual voice. Other players include the Brecker Brothers, Don Grolnick, Fred Wesley, Will Lee, Bobby Lyle, Steve Khan, and many others. The band winds around Phillips, setting her up as "Soul Sister Number One," hitting the funky grooves and elongating her clipped trademark delivery. Highlights include the title track -- one of the greatest disco tunes never played in a disco -- her up-tempo rave-up of "Unforgettable," with killer breaks by Beck and Michael Brecker, the dirtiest, funkiest version ever of Jackie DeShannon's "Pure Natural Love," and a Latin-tinged read of "Goin' Out of My Head." ~ Thom Jurek

Product Details

Release Date:	03/21/2025
Label:	King Japan
UPC:	4988003645649

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Esther Phillips   Primary Artist,Vocals
Ester Phillips   Primary Artist
Ronnie Cuber   Sax (Baritone)
Randy Brecker   Trumpet
Emanuel Green   Violin
Max Ellen   Violin
Paul Gershman   Violin
Michael Brecker   Soloist,Sax (Tenor)
Theodore Israel   Viola
Alan Shulman   Cello
Maeretha Stewart   Vocals (Background)
Seymour Barab   Cello
George Devens   Congas,Percussion
Frank Vicari   Sax (Tenor)
Gary King   Bass,Bass (Electric)
Patti Austin   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Steve Khan   Guitar (Rhythm),Guitar (Electric)
David Nadien   Violin
Harold Kohon   Violin
Andy Newmark   Drums
Harold Coletta   Viola
Bobby Lyle   Piano (Electric)
Tasha Thomas   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Chris Parker   Drums
Barry Rogers   Trombone
Joe Beck   Guitar,Soloist,Conductor,Featured Artist
Fred Wesley   Trombone
Robin Clark   Vocals
Anthony Sophos   Cello
Nicky Marrero   Timbales,Percussion
Ralph MacDonald   Congas,Percussion
Will Lee   Bass,Bass (Electric)
Maretha Stewart   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
John Pintavalle   Violin
Peggy Blue   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Carl Carldwell   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Max Polikoff   Violin
Harry Glyckman   Violin
Charles McCracken   Cello
Don Grolnick   Piano,Piano (Electric)
Hilda Harris   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Leon Pendarvis   Piano (Electric)

Technical Credits

Johnny Mercer   Composer
Juan Tizol   Composer
Rudy Van Gelder   Engineer
Arnaldo DeSouteiro   Liner Notes,Digital Mastering,Reissue Supervisor
T. Randazzo   Composer
Teddy Randazzo   Composer
Patti Austin   Vocal Arrangement
Bob Weinstein   Composer
Irving Mills   Composer
J. Fred Coots   Composer
Tasha Thomas   Vocal Arrangement
Irving Gordon   Composer
J. Davenport   Composer
Duke Ellington   Composer
Jackie DeShannon   Composer
Creed Taylor   Producer
Joe Beck   Arranger
E. Cooley   Composer
Bruce Weber   Photography
Susumu Morikawa   Reissue Producer
Rene Schumacher   Design
Eddie Cooley   Composer
Rube Bloom   Composer
John Davenport   Composer
Sam M. Lewis   Composer